Chapter 36

Victor approached the fallen soldier, studying the lifeless form for clues. "Hey Jakes, looks like most of them were taken out by gunfire. Maybe there was some kind of internal conflict within your squadron," he remarked.

Jakes bristled. "Impossible. We're like family in my squadron," he retorted, his gaze shifting toward the window where a shadowy figure lurked, watching them.

"Hey, check that out," Jakes whispered, gesturing subtly toward the window to alert the others to the lurking figure.

"I see it," Daniel and Victor chimed in unison, darting outside in pursuit. But the figure had already bolted upon seeing them giving chase.

"Stop!" Daniel yelled, sprinting after the fleeing figure.

"I got this," Jakes declared, taking aim and firing shots that barely missed their mark, causing the figure to surrender.

As they closed in, they realized the culprit was a young man in his twenties.